Today, we are going to elaborate on the correct answer to that question. There is been quite a bit of talk on the internet as to whether you can eat whey protein and still lose weight without really exercising. When you ask whether you can take protein powder if you are not a gym-goer, some super-smart folks will usually respond to the question with a resounding no, not even knowing the actual science behind it.
This article is to bring awareness to people on the fact that protein supplements, including whey protein or different protein powders, meet your daily protein needs and never hurt your health, as long as you are not consuming too much. For that reason, many people consume protein supplements as a form of shakes alongside workouts. Many people drink whey protein drinks as a way of supplementing regular protein consumption, regardless of if they are exercising.
If you use whey powder, as in the form of a smoothie, instead of the calories that you normally consume in standard meals, you may be able to lose weight without exercising. A whey shake, by adding that many calories into your routine, only results in weight gain. Those of us that are not pro athletes certainly do not need more protein than this, and for everyone drinking a protein shake with no workout, you may find the added calories contribute to body fat because you are not building muscle.
If you are drinking higher protein shakes alone, rather than supplement protein intake while exercising, that can lead to weight gain. If you keep taking protein shakes without working out, blindly, you are more than likely gaining unwanted weight. Drinking protein shakes does not help you lose weight if it is not part of a general, healthy, caloric-controlled
diet (and, ideally, a workout routine).
It is possible to use protein shakes as a weight-loss tool, but protein powders still have calories, so you need to do your research and find the right balance. Because protein contains calories, consuming too much of it may actually make it harder to lose weight–especially if you are drinking protein shakes on top of your regular diet, and are not exercising. Older adults and people with illnesses, who typically have reduced appetites, but who might need higher protein needs because of illnesses, can often benefit from the effects of protein shake without exercising, particularly because they may be more palatable than solid foods, according to the Illinois Department on Aging. Too much protein may strain your kidneys, so if you are using protein shakes to lose weight or keep it off without exercising, you will want to balance the diet with fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and 32 to 64 ounces of water a day.
When considering a protein whey dose to lose weight, you need to consider your level of fitness and caloric needs. How much should be consumed, does the supplement fit into your build, is it an accessory to training, and is whey protein even safe for non-exercise?